Gambang Sports School showed that they will be the team to beat this season when they dumped newly-crowned Charity Shield winners SMK Mutiara Impian 4-0 on the weekend.
In the match that was played at the SMK Mutiara Impian Mini Stadium in Penang, the side from the east coast was merciless as Muhammad Aiman Syakir Mohd Zulkifli (29th and 67th minute) and Mohamad Khussaini Adli Mohd Yusof (43rd and 70th minute) grabbed a brace each.
âIt is still early season yet but the advantage that we have is that these players have been playing together for the past one year,â said Gambang Sport School coach Asman Ismail.
âI donât think that we should read too much into this victory as there are still lots of game to play and certainly points to be won and lose. Iâm just looking at the players to maintain focus.â
For SMK Mutiara Impian, the loss must have been difficult to swallow considering they were in fine form at the Charity Shield last week to hit three goals past SMK Bukit Nenas of Terengganu for their first silverware of the season.
âI had always maintained that the boys from Gambang will be the team to watch. They have the advantage of having been playing together for the past year,â said SMK Mutiara Impian coach Muhammad Rakhi Muhahmmad Saad.
âWe still have a lot of work to do despite winning the Charity Shield. And against Gambang, they exposed our weaknesses.â
While Gambang triumphed on the road for the three valuable points, Perakâs SMK Gunung Rapat were left disappointed when their travel to Kuala Lumpur ended with a 1-0 loss to hosts SMK Seri Titiwangsa.
The only goal of the game came early in the 13th minute through Muhammad Shafiq Haikal Nazrul.
âWe created a lot of chances and that was important. From the three chances that we created in the first half, we managed to score one which was good,â said SMK Seri Titiwangsa coach Halim Ismail.
Added SMK Gunung Rapat coach Hasrul Hisyam: âwe have a handful of young players in the team this year which meant that they are still uncertain of their responsibilities. But it was not a bad overall performance.â
The MELC and 100PLUS Super Cup are among several youth programmes and competitions supported by 100PLUS, Malaysiaâs leading isotonic beverage.
The others include the 100PLUS Malaysian Junior Golf Open and the 100PLUS National Junior Badminton Circuit. 100PLUS is recommended by the National Sports Council.
UNDER-14 RESULTS
SMK Zaâba (NEGERI SEMBILAN) 1
SMK Seksyen 11 (SELANGOR) 0
SMK Syed Hassan (PERLIS) 1
SMK Tunku Anum (KEDAH) 1
SMK Mutiara Impian (PENANG) 0
Gambang Sports School (U14) 4
SMK Seri Titiwangsa (KL) 1
SMK Gunung Rapat (PERAK) 0
SMK Seri Kota (Melaka) 1
SMK Datuk Peter Mojuntin (SABAH) 2